The Last days of Gene Folkes

Are you ready...?

If YOUR last december came, what would you do? Do you think anyone would remember to remember you? Did you stand tall or did you fall did you give your all? excerpt from The Rainbow Children by Prince

I'm dying...I know as we all are...but, in my final days, it provides an opportunity for me to take a retrospective of my life and I begin to ask if I lived it just how I thought I would or should...question remains to be answered. I know that as I look around me, the FIRST thing that comes to mind is have I asked for forgiveness from the people that I've hurt and have I forgiven those who've hurt me? question remains to be answered. It's interesting because as I lie here, all of the anger, worry, grief and strife seem so unimportant as I enter the last december of my life. Before anyone starts sending their sympathies or tears start to falll or if cheers of joy ring out, wait for it...because you are guaranteed to go through this process too...
As we enter the last days of 2010, will you join me in this series as we lay to rest those things that prohibit us from reaching our full potential? That it is in dying that only then can we embrace life and live a more meaningful existence full of love, laughter, forgiveness and grace...stay tuned as we enter The Last days of Gene Folkes... questions remain to be answered..

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!!!

I'm challenging each and every reader with a very important mission. It's the holiday season and what better way to spread good cheer than by supporting our military members and their families?! Never fear…you'll be provided with a few "tools" that will help you accomplish this mission. I've compiled a short list of web sites that will lead you down the right path. Don't forget…the BEST way to show your support is to visit a local VA facility or Veterans hospital/rehab unit and really experience the joy of personally connecting with veterans – retired and active duty!

 

 

Let's Say Thanks (sponsored by Xerox) – send a card to a member of the military

http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html

 

USO – official site has online donation capabilities as well as links to information regarding volunteer opportunities, care package delivery, etc. etc. etc.

http://www.uso.org/

 

Donate online and view a myriad of ways to support our troops

http://www.supportourtroops.org/

 

Department of Defense web site dedicated to supporting our military

http://www.ourmilitary.mil/index.aspx

 

LOVE this site because you can choose the military branch you wish to support AND select an individual's name to "adopt" (correspond with, send care packages, etc.) – makes your involvement very personal and is a gratifying way to get involved!

http://www.anysoldier.com/

 

Web sites with many links to organizations dedicated to supporting military members and their families

http://troopssupport.com/ or http://www.military.com/benefits/resources/support-our-troops

 

 

 

The Last days of Gene Folkes

Are you ready...?

Have you let Thieves in The Temple?

They don't care where they kick
Just as long as they hurt u---Lyrics by Prince

So, This time of year, I usually call my grandmothers best friend, Ms. Bozie Walker. Since the death of my grandmother, MS. Walker has been one of the most constant people in my family's life. She knew my grandmother when they were going to USO dances as young women, she's the orator of the american side of my family. At 94, when you ask her how she's doing, she just laughs and says "I'm not kicking as high as I used to, but...I'm STILL kicking" She's THE most positive woman that's known me since birth and she has what I call Ms. Walker's Wisdom.
I spoke with her yesterday and we caught up on all the things that have been going on with me. As I get older, I become less and less prideful and that's a good thing because people will hold you hostage with your shame.
Which may have you wondering why on earth have I titled this commentary "Thieves in The Temple" It's something Ms. Walker and my grandmother told me my ENTIRE life, you need to be careful choosing women son, 'cause what looks good to ya', ain't good for ya' if ONLY i'd heeded her advice long ago, I could've saved myself from being with the wrong women. Now, this isn't going to be a woman-bashing commentary because I love and respect women too much, but, I feel it imperative to point out that all the talk about the games men play and the things we do are not exclusive to our gender. So, I'm going to share an extremely painful, embarassing, humiliating story about myself that will make me sound and seem foolish. But, if I am to be The GENEuine Article, then I must turn my lense inward.
So, I met a woman several years ago and she had three children, she seemed nice enough and the children weren't too bad. Being the son of a single mother, I promised I would be the man that I wished would've entered my life as a child. So, long story short, we lived together. It didn't bother me that her childrens father was absent not only physically, but financially as well. I was raised to be a man able to create things with nothing and I assumed that by doing good by people, they would appreciate your sacrifice and commitment. If you ask Ms. Walker, she'd say she didn't appreciate "good." To say that my family was less than thrilled about my decision would be an understatement and as mother's go, mine is the MOST vocal and peeps out the playa's. Problem is once I've committed to someone even the wrong person, I put my head down and try making it happen. When I met this person she was a waitress and I encouraged her to go back to school. She ended up with a quality education and stable employment. I watched her kids at night after working all day. In fact, I attended the parent/teacher conferences and all those things that a guardian and I thought a MAN SHOULD do. I was an ACTIVE participant in their lives...hands on! It was only AFTER I had flown her children to visit her family and THEY decided to introduce them to their biological father, that I began to realize that all my time, energy and efforts were in vain. Now, I had to make a choice and that choice was to STRONGLY encourage them to have a relationship with their father. I even set up call nights and their father agreed to them. Fridays at 7pm. Needless to say, he failed to keep up with the schedule. Ultimately, things unravelled from that point on, to this day, I have no relationship with her children. I believed this woman when she said that her ex had raped her and she gave birth to his twins. wich, I discovered later was untrue. This is the same woman who lied about several events since I've known her! (I'm curious at how we only see these things in hindsight?)
In the end, it didn't matter that I had attempted to help her raise her children, NEVER complained about the lack of support from the father or her refusal to seek any support. I will publish pictures of her idea of "housekeeping" as well as the damage done to BOTH my vehicles. In the end, it ended up with me being defrauded, lied to/on and placed in mortal danger. My character attacked and my integrity questioned. It is now a matter of public record that this woman lied under oath about several claims she made and the judge flat out called her a liar(texas is a community property state ya"ll).
This all leads me back to Ms. Walker, my 94 year old mentor who told me to keep praying and that it WAS all my fault, because I had allowed a thief inside my temple. It got me to thinking just how many times have I done this and the answer alarmed me, one too many times...Sometimes, there are some of us who attempt to downplay our strengths, we allow people into our lives who have NO business being there. Their motivations, aspirations and plans aren't always what they profess. It's at times that it's the people closest to you that plot to do you in...just ask caesar! So, I'm left dealing with the fall out that this person has caused in my life. I've heard from MANY people who wondered what was wrong with ME for taking up the responsibility for a woman with three kids. My answer has been, "it was the right thing to do" Now look, I know some women are going to go nuts at this commentary, but, this isn't painting ALL women with a broad stroke. This is appropriate for a certain type of PERSON. We are soooo ready to get on the man-bashing wagon, yet when it comes to women...not so much. Men get played too, we just don't talk about it and on some levels, women are oftentimes applauded for duping a man. It makes it HARDER for women looking for an equitable, productive life-partner. It can damage good people. NOw, in fairness, I'm not perfect, NEVER claimed to be, but...did I deserve what I got? Does ANYONE? I've been known to say that you learn if a person REALLY loved you at THE END of a love affair, not the beginning. If they treat you like dirt on their shoe, they ALWAYS thought you were dirt, they were just getting what they needed. Once you've served your purpose or catch on, then they will lie, cheat, steal and try to maim you or make you undesirable to anyone else. It's EASY to have, yet harder to hold.
I WILL NEVER STOP believing that EVERYONE deserves a second chance and that people are basically good. While, it's difficult, there are some GREAT women in this world! My open door policy needed to be reviewed and I will from this day forward qualify whom I allow to enter MY temple, because they just may be a thief and the most dangerous of all thieves is the person able to make you believe they're a victim. By the time you discover that they're not, your entire life my be stolen from you and you may be standing in the middle of a financial, legal, and moral tsunami. But, remember if we ask...

Love if u're there come save me
From all this cold despair
I can hang when u're around
But I'll surely die
If u're not there---lyrics by Prince

The Impotent Billionaire

im•po•tent ( m p -t nt)
adj.
1. Lacking physical strength or vigor; weak.
2. Lacking in power, as to act effectively; helpless

While the phrase “Impotent Billionaire” may seem like a paradox, I assure you that it is quite appropriate given current events. It has JUST become breaking news that the unemployment rate has risen to 9.8% AND there’s still the question of what to do about the Bush tax cuts. However, I’m sure that the present administration will continue to come under fire regardless of how things turn out. EVERYONE is weighing in on the subject and there’s criticism being thrown around for the lack of job creation, fate of the unemployed and the threat of having a permanent class of unemployed people. It makes my heart race just thinking about it.
I’m not sure about you, but, I’m tired of all the rhetoric and I want someone to roll up their sleeves and just get it done! I don’t care if you’re a democrat or republican, can we FIRST and FOREMOST be AmeriCANs? We the people are suffering, whether it’s our own fault or we were misled; we need to DO SOMETHING more than just talking, tough talk. I mean everyone from Sarah Palin, to conservative democrats are being critical, we have the tea party weighing in and even worse, we have celebrities weighing in on the present administration’s handling of things. Wait…what was that? Celebrities? I have no objection to celebrities being politically active, in fact it’s great when they are, but when you are a celebrity businessman AND you announce you want to RUN FOR PRESIDENT because you think the country’s being run wrong...mmm hold ‘em up there partna’ and let’s see what YOU got…
Let me repeat that in case you missed it…A RUN FOR PRESIDENT!! Uh, ok…as things would go, it’s not just me saying…are you serious or are you joking? I thought running the country and being a servant of ALL Americans was the goal of the highest office in this land?
As I am an Air Force Veteran and I pledged allegiance to the flag and the Constitution of the United States, it irks me to no end to see people reap all the benefits of this great country only to start complaining when THEIR net worth is affected. In fact, the attitude is “if you tax the wealthy too much, they’ll just choose to leave this country.” Huhn? To me, THAT’S THE MOST unpatriotic statement I’ve heard and as a US Veteran that’s a slap in the face. As I recall, this country wasn’t built by you and your kind. She was built by the low to middle class AND FREE labor (lest we forget). So, if you and your kind leave, then perhaps that’ll open up a room for growth and opportunity? Besides, we find that the majority of your ideas are antiquated and EXTREMELY narrow. If you’d like a few suggestions on where you can go, Lemme know… Abraham Lincoln had very little formal education and Frederick Douglass even less. Yet, both these men were great orators and their love of this country was and is evident. They talked less and DID more…
So, I’m sure we’ll keep hearing how these unemployed people aren’t the strongest performers or they’re lazy and just don’t want to work. Hmm…I’m not so sure if any of these assertions are accurate. I mean some of us are STILL trying to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps…oops…my straps just broke…so, I guess I mean by the tongue of my boot.
As an unemployed person, I took it upon myself to seek out opportunity; I applied for a spot on a business reality show. A show which was advertising that “there’s nothing more American than a second chance” Can you say they had me at hello? I was thinking what better way to set myself apart from the competition in a tough economy than by being showcased on a VERY popular reality show. Like I said, who doesn’t like to be serenaded and wooed? I mean here was an icon, a titan of business who was professing to stick out his neck to not provide a job, but an OPPORTUNITY. This was going to be an uplifting, inspiring, motivational tale of 16 ordinary Americans who were impacted by the great recession and they were going to be very, very happy. In fact, instead of fancy prizes of luxury, we were going to meet with other power brokers of business and we were going to be considered for vacancies in their empires. I’m thinking, wow! This is better than the lottery. As I scouted the worst case scenario, I thought how hard can this be? I mean, creating jobs/opportunities for JUST 16 people when you control the outcome, you have the power of persuasion, you have the respect of your fellow colleagues and you have 16 eager, well-qualified Americans motivated and ready to get back to work? Oh, and we actually believed in the process and the story. After viewing what’s being aired, it doesn’t look at all like the uplifting, motivational, inspirational story that I signed on for.

While, I’m like most Americans, I love it when you whisper sweet nothings in my ear. You pick me out of thousands of potential hopefuls; you court me with sweet words, future dreams, candles and chocolate. You flex your wealth by sending a car to pick me up; you come dressed in your Sunday best. We eat at the most expensive restaurant, where you make me feel special, you tell me how beautiful/handsome I am. You’re saying all the right things and it makes me want to continue the night. We get back to your place and when it’s time for intimacy, let’s just say you fall a little flat….ruh roh….

After I chalked the entire process as another bad date, I began to hear talk of a run for president and extreme criticism of the job the administration is doing and that got me thinking about comparing and contrasting what I HEAR you saying and what I WITNESSED you did. Wooing us with promises that you can do a better job igniting the economy and encouraging job growth. Ok, let’s tally that up shall we? Out of the 16 candidates who put themselves out there for the chance of an opportunity, how many jobs were created for them on your watch? I mean if I were being paid 3,000,000 per episode and I held all the cards, and I had an empire, I’d like to think I could create AT LEAST 16 opportunities for people who were “the best of the best” I believe that the present administration has created more than 16 jobs and that’s with all the subsequent challenges they have to overcome.
So, color me confused…if we took a look at “where are they now?” what would we find? Other than that special 1, how are the remaining 15 fairing? It would be interesting if they could respond without fear of being intimidated by contract clauses and cease and desist orders. Now, you may think that this commentary is bitter, biased or angry…far from it. I believe that it’s commentary like this that made our country great! By outing B.S. when we see it, leaves us to deal with the truth and it’s within the truth that we find REAL inspiration and REAL motivation and REAL change! Not just rhetoric to keep someone in the public eye or make them relevant. We talk about lame duck presidents, a lame duck congress…I don’t know about you, but as my bills stack up, I don’t have time for ANYONE being a lame duck. We need some overtime!
So, I’m wondering how critical of the administration should we be? I think we SHOULD be critical to some degree, it’s healthy, and it’s American. So, just how easy is it to create jobs anyway? If you believe our suitors, it SHOULD be easy. I mean The President ONLY has to contend with two warring factions, the populous consensus, several wars on foreign soil AND his critics. Amidst all this there were 162,000 jobs created in March, not nearly enough, but, it’s something. Teen Unemployment is at 26% black unemployment is about 17.2%.

When I look at the experience I just had, I see people who are right back to where they were before and in some cases worse because of their participation with a certain titan of business and I have to ask myself just how difficult it is to create opportunity for our fellow Americans? Apparently, it proved to be too difficult even when you have all the right contacts, all the right media exposure and qualified candidates. So, before we take to listening to all the sweet words and all the passionate protesters, let’s look at the impotent billionaire and ask is the real intent there a real plan for job creation or are we just hearing sweet nothings being whispered in our ears?

Did the fat lady choke on a note?

Soooo,
We've come to the end of the road??? The reviews are in and I find MOST people feel the ending was anti-climatic. That's unfortunate because the story was SUPPOSED to be uplifting, motivational and inspirational and in the end...it fell flat. While I was extremely relieved that Brandy won The Apprentice, I feel for her because I know she attempted to keep a positive outlook and she, like all of us wanted to be part of something amazing. While my performance reviews have been criticized by some of my fellow contestants as harsh, it was A CALL TO ACTION! It's VERY, VERY tempting to give into the allure of the bright lights and the big city and an iconic figure, but at the end of the day? NO ONE cares more about your brand and your values than you. That being said if you espouse a value, fundamental belief or way of life, there should never be a job, amount of money or an iconic figure that you should allow to cause you to be unfaithful to who you are and what you believe. Once you start down that road, there's no turning back. Trust me, I KNOW! There were talks of being inspired by Jesus and not wanting to be objectified as a female and I encourage each one to go back and review the "edited" footage of themselves and ask if you maintained your values...if you haven't? NOW is the time to work through that. I don't claim to be perfect, pious or judgemental, but, I've been tempted enough to know that what you thought you wanted and coveted wasn't worth it once you got it. I was disappointed when I witnessed some of the brightest people with the best intentions, hopes and dreams fall for the oldest trick in the book and that trick is pride and vanity. ( Encouraged by crafty Exec. producer's with empty promises). Games have been used for centuries to teach us about war and the potential mettle of a leader and since the apprentice was nothing but a game, how do you think you fared? The game of Chess is of course a game of strategy and is a game of war strategy and most often what you do in that game can lead to life or death in the battlefield. When you look at the game of The Apprentice, in the end was it worth what you left on the field? Because for me, the bar was set at $250,000k and The GENE FOLKES brand is worth A LOT more than $250k.(PRICELESS ACTUALLY) What's YOUR brand worth? When you're alone and looking in the mirror, ask yourself....What price buys my values? Find an answer you're comfortable with and good luck to you.

Cue the choir...The fat lady's clearing her throat!

This past week saw the team whittled down from four to three.  This week opens as Steuart meets a publishing mogul.  What was missing was the awarding of a prize.  He didn’t win anything.  Hmmmmm, what did Steuart do to lose his prize?  Keep speculating, folks-I’ll never tell.

The task was a QVC spot that pitted boys against girls.  The teams were each able to negotiate with the other side to secure the time slot and product that they wanted to sell.  The price points were also team decisions.  The opening of the negotiation scene begins with Clint and Steuart plotting.  For many of you this may have been the first time that you saw the devious streak on the male side of the boardroom.  I assure you that this was a consistent part of these two gentlemen’s strategy throughout the season.

What is unique is that this is the first time the cameras ‘catch them in the act’.  Now I know that many of you will want to comment that this is done in business all the time.  I get that.  Just because it is common practice does not make it right.  What it should also show you is that perhaps Mahsa’s finger pointing was not so off base after all.  You will recall that she was outraged to be accused, and ultimately fired, for something in which she alleged Clint had a hand.  He got his righteous ire stirred and claimed that Mahsa was trying to smear his good name.  This is the same person that you hear in Week Ten telling Steuart to follow his lying lead.  He clearly comes up with the idea to purposely lie to the girls about the product in which Octane is interested to throw them off their game and leave open the opportunity for the men to also secure their chosen time slot. 

Maybe I am harder on the men’s team than you would be, but I just cannot help but be disappointed in the stooping to all new lows that I see.  Team Fortitude has been a cat fight, brawl-a-thon since Week One, but the men (David excluded) have generally kept their professionalism in tact.  Like I said in the boardroom on Week One, “I like to see mine coming”. To top things off, the men wind up trashing each other as previously unseen outtakes hit the airwaves.  Steuart does his best hick voice to bash Clint, and Clint is critical of Steuart’s pricing strategy and ridiculous use of double entendre in describing the handbag.  Had some of the comments made by Steuart to the QVC spokesperson been said in an actual workplace, HR would have been summoned.  Clint, of course, feigns offense and cites his ‘family man’ status.  I wonder if his three boys will watch this task and pick up priceless tips to manipulate and strategize like their dear old dad.

The women are actually able to put aside their pettiness for the most part.  They choose to sell watches at a fair price and are quite successful.  Though I cannot help but point out that Brambien (Brandy+Ambien) is once again a deer in headlights as the QVC cameras begin to roll.  At that point I did nod off.  Ultimately, the girls turn more profit than Octane and Trump surprises both sides by announcing that two people will be fired.  He also took a bit of time to press Liza about her racial rationale in putting Brandy in front of the cameras.  While I know that some people saw this as shortsighted, I actually understood where Liza was coming from.  I also really appreciated her honest (albeit round-about) answer when asked about it by Trump.  That is my biggest beef with Liza is her chameleon routine.  If that is what you feel is right, OWN IT, Girl.  Stop hemming and hawing.

Unfortunately, there was only time to show one of those firings.  Since the men lost, Trump starts there.  He quickly establishes that these two guys are pretty even in terms of qualifications.  He proceeds to ask for their educational and professional credentials.  This is curious to me since he had never really mentioned that before.  Where someone went to school is truly not a reflection of their intelligence (Poppy and Stanford…whaaaaat????).  Steuart cites his two successful business ventures (and two failures).  This was confusing since I thought the purpose of this season was to put America back to work?  Sounds like Steuart never left.  Clint rattles off his pedigree of lawyer, CPA, realtor, handbag maven…This begs the question-how in the world is Clint not employed?  Or did he just see bright lights and the big city and want to be television?  Well, goooooollllllleeeeee (insert Gomer Pyle voice here), that would make a lot more sense. If Mr. Trump is choosing his apprentice based on suck-up-ability or down and dirty conniving, I think we have a winner.

However, we won’t really know that until we see who the second firee is next week.  One thing I am looking forward to is seeing Mahsa back in action, finger loaded and ready to shoot!

Adam, Legend of The Blue Marvel!

 

 

 

In the 1960s Adam Brashear was a young man who served his country as a U.S. Marine. When he discovered his super-powers, he fashioned a secret identity with which to protect his country; the Blue Marvel! He served as a hero for years, and was one of the most popular heroes of his time. Yet Adam had a secret, he was an African-American, a fact not lost on the government. As a precaution against so much power in the hands of a black man, they took steps to control him, even going so far as to plant a Spy for him to date. His career as the Blue Marvel ended after he faced the Anti-Man, with his ethnicity revealed, Adam was pressured by the government to retire.

As a kid, I was fascinated with comic books. I would read until late into the night. It was a way for me to escape and provided my love for reading which has continued to this day. While I loved all superheroes, I couldn't help but notice the void of people who looked like me being portrayed as the all powerful legends. There were a few, Luke Cage, Power man, Black Panther, The Falcon...But, Adam is a unique story and one I fell in love with immediately.

Though he is fictional, if you read his story, doesn't this resonate and translate in reality? TOO OFTEN we discount potential heroes because of where they come from or look like, we marginalize them and ultimately, we ALL miss out. There are ongoing discussions about how to get this country back to her greatness, some billionaires think we're being beaten out by China and India, IF we are, it's because we CONTINUE to overlook the potential of ALL AMERICANS! Regardless of where they come from or what they look like. Who says the cure for cancer won't come from the mind of a child living in the ghetto? or the cure for aids from a disabled person or some other great discovery from some disenfranchised American?

We hold these truths to be self-evident where all men are created equal and we become a great nation once we put these words into action.

Perceptual Constancy?

An illusion is a distortion of the senses, revealing how the brain normally organizes and interprets sensory stimulation. While illusions distort reality, they are generally shared by most people

Funny, I was listening to a song by Prince and there's a line that says the two-party system gives the ILLUSION of choice and all for money which is nothing but ink and chlorophyll.
And as you know GENEuine readers, that got me to thinking about my Apprentice experience, the economy, magicians and what IS reality. So, bare with me as I ramble with my thoughts and try to make sense of things...

As a child, I was fascinated by magic. I begged my grandmother for a magic set. I thought How cool it would be to make things disappear and reappear at will, what I learned is that what I thought was "magic" turned out to be VERY simple, deceitful slight of hand and my magic set was quickly placed under the bed.
The relevance of this, is that now, many of us are finding it more palatable to believe the illusion. We PREFER to swallow the fallacy that as long as things LOOK good, why seek what's real? Is there any wonder why prescription drug usage has increased tremendously and the majority of us HATE to be alone?
Here are cases in point that may strengthen this idea...
As the great recession WAS happening, the unemployment rate was at record levels and the mortgage crises reaching a crescendo, the majority of us ACCEPTED the ILLUSION that it wasn't as bad as being reported...So, we kept shopping, acquiring more credit card debt and god forbid we stopped eating out 4 nights a week! I mean this recession was effecting SOMEONE ELSE! There was an Apprentice candidate that stated in the premiere commercials that "The recession SLOWLY crept up..." HUNH? SLOWLY crept up" what was HE smoking? But, I digress, the malls REMAINED packed....gas prices went up, movie tickets went up and of course we kept buying and buying and buying....and not just sale items, big luxurious purchases were being purchased as well.
And it's been more so problematic that we are choosing to live lives where we edit out what we don't like and ONLY focus on what we WANT to hear? I'm of the mind that catching a virus is a good thing, because the body builds antibodies to fight the virus and is ready for it next time, so...negative isn't always bad...or is that just me?
I'm concerned because more and more of us are choosing the illusion, breast too small...enhance them...pecs too small? enhance them....does ANYONE not know about BOB and his "performance" commercials? ewww, no thanks bob...overweight? bypass being healthy...BUY SOME SPANX? WHAT THE FREAK!
How long can we keep doing this to ourselves?
Isn't it curious that with so much availability to live HOW we want to and keeping the facade alive, that we are far less happier and more and more of us medicate ourselves with drugs, alcohol and whatever else we so choose! Isn't falling off a bike a good thing? failing a test a learning experience? Some people win and some people lose...This whole concept that EVERYONE's a winner...uh....okkayyy...can I get that in writing from the Lottery? I mean...since EVERYONE'S a WINNER?
...and that's the problem...it's not that we just CAN'T deal with reality, it's now we have the means to MANIPULATE reality. But, what we fail to understand is that no matter how much we try to conceal ourselves in the illusion there will ALWAYS be the lingering penumbra of our TRUE selves and there's no amount of drugs, plastic surgery or level of denial that can change that.
Perhaps, the TRUE source of magic isn't the illusion, but in embracing reality, accepting the blessings in ALL things and being able to laugh or smile and find love anyway....
Now, that's REAL magic!

Lifting Wendy's Window

Wendy has been gracious enough to let us take another look inside her window, below is an excerpt from her newest addition. Please visit The GENEuine Article at http://geneuinearticle.blogspot.com/ for the rest of the story. It's beautiful!

It’s that time of year, isn’t it? Time to reflect upon holidays past, traditions, loved ones and all we have to be thankful for. Thanksgiving was particularly wonderful this year! My daughter was home from Japan --

@GENEuineArticle

Ok, Ok, I must admit that I'm trying to keep up with the joneses. The GENEuine Article is now providing authentic commentary on business, fashion and fitness via TWITTER. Take a moment to be motivated, inspired, challenged and edified. If you are a twitter subscriber, won't you follow The GENEuine Article and catch updates about Wendy's Window?

Our 15 minutes are up????

As I watched this past episode of The Apprentice, it is apparent that with NO LIVE FINALE, this series has come to a close. Perhaps, it was DOA, I'm not sure. But, it's time to close my task reviews as the program has been gasping for air and has chosen to go quietly into the night.

There are those who felt that my reviews have been harsh and my assessment of my fellow contestants were made with malice, I assure you no malice was intended and as far as my fellow contestants go, they need to search themselves and reflect on their behavior when the cameras WEREN'T rolling. Now, I don't claim to be a paragon of virtue and values, but, I've found it best to maintain WHO I am regardless of what's at stake.

I want to be clear, I'm ending my reviews because my request were heard and I was given the opportunity to re mediate my brand and undo some of the damage that was done. I feel it's time to move onward and upward. While The Apprentice wasn't the experience I had hoped for, it is over and it's on my list of one more thing I've done. It's time to close this paragraph in a page of my life and move on.

I'm fortunate to have acquired one really genuine friend from this experience and SHE knows who she is...
The GENEuine Article will remain an AUTHENTIC voice.

Task 9 Review:  In an accelerating spiral of decline, this week’s task was to be a commercial for ATT and Flo TV.  Stephanie immediately pounces on the PM role.  Of course she has had experience in digital media!  Her decision to delegate to Liza was a critical error.  She wanted to boss everyone (including the director).  The only problem with that was running on turbo speed with a terrible idea will only get you nowhere fast(er).  The blame game just keeps rolling.  It is terribly sad to see the all female and diverse team just rip each other to shreds and self destruct in the process. 

            Not that Octane was faring a whole lot better.  Steuart jumps in as the PM for this task, but he completely wimps out when Clint grabs control and barrels forward with his slapstick ideas.  Brandi goes ‘deer in headlights’ for most of the task.  I wouldn’t call this one a win by any stretch.  Is it just me or does Clint just look bumpkin-ier (yes, that’s a word) every week?  What was up with the Pee Wee Herman hair and Jerry Lewis schtick?  What has goofy got to do with it?  If it was Donald Duck’s apprentice, okay. Donald Trump, I think not.  Additionally, how was Clint quick to put the kibosh on ‘sex sells’ this week citing the fact that he has three sons? He was into it last week.  I guess some people really will do anything to win.

            The icing on this cake was Brandi’s second misreading of her own notecards.  If I stumbled through one task and was branded illiterate, what does that make Brandi?  The boardroom has become a snoozefest as everyone’s shortcomings are glossed over.  Mr. Trump must just be pulling names out of hats at this point because NONE of these folks has what it takes.  Steuart is completely mum as he offered nothing in terms of leadership.  Octane just sucked a little less than Fortitude.  Thankfully, Stephanie got the boot.  She is so arrogant and conceited it is nice to know we will be spared more of her resume embellishments in the last few episodes.  What is more concerning is of what we will not be spared.  More of Clint’s campy spoofs and gags?  Clint and Steuart’s boyish shenanigans? Brandi’s bumbles and stumbles? Liza’s dodging of any and all responsibility for anything?  I did have to laugh out loud during Stephanie and Rockport’s Next Steps.  The way she spun her new ‘job’ was laugh out loud hilarious.  She said she is working for the Trump Organization.  What she meant to say was that she is working for the Trump Network.  Ladies and Gentlemen, this is not a network in the television media sense of the word.  It is a network like Mary Kay, Avon and Amway are networks. Argh!!!! The sad truth is that no one has gotten a job that pays as a result of being on this show.  Here is the running tally to date:

Uh....update coming in a special segment....

    Okay, you are a billionaire who sees the struggling economy and doesn’t like what he sees.  You proclaim (from the back of your limo) that you are going to ‘do something about it’.  DO a "Where are they Now?" and tell me—What is it that has been done?  None of us is better off, and many are just struggling to get out of bed in the morning.  This is Mr. Trump’s effort to give folks a second chance?  WOW! Someone tell the emperor that the draft he is feeling may be due to the fact that he is parading down Madison Avenue without a stitch on!!!

OWN IT-ism #9:  Do not let your personal like or dislike of a person lead you to ignore or underestimate their value and potential to sink your ship. Liza’s criticisms were valid.  Her incompetence was fatal.  Stephanie ignored both and paid the price.

It's THAT time again!!!

So, As I'm sitting here reflecting on a very trying and difficult period of my life, it dawns on me that THANKSGIVING is less than 48 hours away. I'm watching christmas trees being put up and decorations being hung and lights taking over neighborhoods. We are currently still facing high unemployment rates, two wars on foreign soil and I start to think is there much to be thankful for? Am I in the mood for all this "comfort and joy?"
I mean, I have worries and concerns about how I'm going to pay my rent, put gas in my car (have gas prices gone up?), starting a company and of course what does everyone want for Christmas? I mean I haven't even bought a turkey yet! Sheesh!
Just as I begin to go on a Scrooge bender and say the heck with it all, I get a call from a friend that their mother is on hospice and dying of ovarian cancer, another friend calls because he just came from his honeymoon or I've just had the opportunity to give advice to two young men in their 30's looking to me as a mentor or I've just spent an evening eating tutti fruitii yogurt with a teenager who thinks I'm cool...slowly it starts to sink in that amidst it all, I have EVERYTHING I need and more and for that, there's more than enough reason to give thanks.

So, to each and everyone who reads this may you ALWAYS without hesitation take a moment and look around and be sure to give thanks, not just for the holiday, but each and every day.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Questionable Firings?

http://zovalente.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/highly-questionable-firings-on-the-apprentice-season-10/

UGH...Pass me the REMOTE!

Task 7 Review:  The Macy’s competition using Trump’s Menswear line marks the end of the girls vs. boys arrangement.  With Brandy and David leading the teams, each side set about to develop and execute a photo shoot to market the shirts, cuff links  and ties designed by The Donald.  David immediately  began channeling Karl Lagerfeld looking for another success as a creative mastermind.  His clear dislike for Anand was palpable.  Poppy became involved in creating and yet another tacky deliverable.  She cleverly (insert sarcasm here) creates a ‘T’, as in Trump, of thumbnail photos.  WOW, break out the glue gun!  Meanwhile Stephanie continued offering worthless advice.  I kept waiting for her to give another self-aggrandizing narrative about her prior experience as a tailor of men’s clothing in Milan or stint as a magazine editor on Madison Avenue.  That Stephanie really gets around.  Too bad that she was so busy stroking David’s ego, that she failed to mention that the model’s clothes didn’t fit. 

Speaking of girls who get around, Brandy was having issues of her own.  The models booked for Team Octane did not show up.  Awww shucks.  That is so surprising (wink, wink).  And of course, who would be more than willing to take one (a photo that is) for the team?  Not to be out pimped,  Steuart jumps into the fray.  The morning after theme was brought to you by Clint/Pat Robertson as he dubbed Trump’s brand, “wealth, power and sexual prowess”.  While I am sure that Mr. Trump loves that moniker, no one else (including the Macy’s execs) was comfortable with the overtly sexual appeal.  Though Brandy had previously asserted that she did not want to use sex to sell, her Fortitude had weakened a few weeks back with ‘Babes on Bikes’. What remained totally collapsed, as did my respect for her, when she hopped on the bed in nothing but her man’s shirt and cheesed for the camera with Stu’s hand on her leg. Good thing Clint had already ascertained that Brandy had good legs. Not sure that’s what Jesus would do, my man . 

As the two teams make presentations to the Macy’s folks, the unthinkable happens.  Brandy stumbles over her own words as she reads from her note cards.  You may recall that Steuart did the same thing the previous week.  I cannot resist but point out that these two contestants experienced a similar lapse in eloquence as I did.  What is not similar is the way in which these two’s gaffes were handled by Mr. Trump.  Steuart received a five second slap on the wrist. Brandy’s was not even discussed.  Meanwhile, I am labeled illiterate and unable to read or speak.  If we were dancing to ‘Cotton Eyed Joe’, there would be a refrain that I would sing at the top of my lungs right about now. 

But I digress.  As both projects and teams were evaluated, David clearly sets himself up as the sole proprietor of Fortitude’s project.  He seems meek and mild.  Perhaps the model gave him his number.  Or maybe they slipped him a Xanax.  Whatever they did, his firing was anti-climactic and totally un-David.  No chairs were overturned.  For the first and only time, David seemed sane.  I think that everyone was just sick of him.  He was probably sick of himself too—he went out with a whimper.  I don’t think that either project was really great.  Trump’s ego just once again did the thinking for him.  This week was fairly dull as most of them have been since my departure (I know I may be a little biased), but next week’s teaser about catching a cheater leaves me hoping for better.

OWN IT-ISM #7:  When you brand yourself, own the brand and protect the brand.  Crazy David did not do that, Moral Majority Clint did not do that, Brains over Breasts Brandy did not do that.  This week they each sold out to win.  Winning a task and losing your brand in the process is nothing to celebrate.

TASK 8 REVIEW:  With David gone, we should have known that something would have to be done to get everyone talking again.  The teasers, “Who is the Cheater?” ran all week.  Speculation ran wild (not really, but it sounds cool).  We didn’t have to wait long to see Anand get called on the carpet for texting during the Pedi Cab Task.  Apparently, Anand had been inviting friends to come to the task site and bring him money.  It was really painful watching him lie to Mr. Trump’s face, but Anand owned his mistake-eventually.  Everyone looked uncomfortable.  If you look very closely a couple of contestants look downright nauseated.  According to Ahnan’s most recent interview, they had good reason to be nervous.  Apparently there is more than one cheater on this show.  Though Ahnan deserved to be fired, he should have had a few friends flanking him as he took his walk of shame sans cab and overcoat.  This marks another firing with extreme prejudice.  My, Mahsa and Anand’s firings had distinctly personal, inaccurate and damaging treatments.  I won’t drag you through the details but suffice to say, this show is the reason that the Today Show aired a special about suicides rising among reality stars.  Each one of us knew what we were getting into, but none of us expected what we got.  The brutal, career ending labels of illiterate, lying and cheating are not easy to overcome in good economic times.  In this climate, they can prove fatal.

After Ahan’s departure, the Kim Kardashian fragrance display task begins.  Poppy steps up to lead Fortitude and Clint takes charge of Octane.  Poppy and Stephanie immediately relegate Liza to the warehouse to do the dirty work.  I could really go off here, but I will refrain.  The last time I made some comments regarding the treatment of people of color on the show, I got a letter from NBC legal.  So I won’t say anything about Liza being treated like ‘the help’.  She seemed grateful to get away from Meanie (Stephanie) and Weenie (Poppy).  As the two blonde's drive away to procure supplies, the plotting begins—not that it ever really ended.

Octane’s leader, Clint, immediately hones in on Brandy to help with the perfume perspective.  Now, I have to let Clint off the chauvinist hook here as the lone girl on the team insists that she just isn’t that girly.  This is the same girl that was half naked last week and making salacious comments to Mr. Trump about her preference for older men.  Color Clint confused.  One week she is a hot mama willing to shake it fast, and the next week Gloria Steinem has inhabited her body.  She bemoans her plight to a sympathetic Ivanka to provide herself with an out should Clint and his first mate, Stueart, decide to throw Brandy under the bus in the boardroom. 

In the end, there is no contest whatsoever as Poppy’s team loses soundly.  She apparently tied her boa too tight and lost circulation to her brain that would have alerted her to the fact that her project looked like Hobby Lobby meets Penthouse.  Her firing follows a typical screech fest between Liza and Stephanie.  Had those two just stayed quiet, they would have noticed their dizzy PM had basically taken the fall ten minutes earlier.  But in true Fortitude fashion, we have to have screaming banshees to round out the evening.  Maybe it’s just me, but this stuff is harder to watch every week.  The best part of the whole show was Poppy’s cab ride where she proudly tells the audience that she wants to pursue a career in fashion, intergalactic space flight or dentistry.  Sorry, Pops…Stephanie did all that already.  Nevertheless, the Rockport Next Steps (which is usually just Mr. Trump’s size 11’s walking all over your dead, fired boy and professional reputation) is a bit on Poppy talking about her new job as a stem cell researcher.  At that point, I looked around waiting for Ashton Kutcher to jump out from behind my television. 

OWN IT-ISM #8:  Owning your mistakes is honorable and right.  It is also almost always fatal.  But at least you die a hero and not a coward.

Wendy's Window

When Alanna received notification from the United States Naval Academy that she had been accepted, we were all thrilled and excited (of course)! Alanna and I took long walks every afternoon, serving two purposes -- to keep in shape for her upcoming Plebe year at the Academy and, most importantly, to spend time with each other and share our thoughts. On one particular afternoon, Alanna said, "What would you and Dad say if I decided not to go to the Academy?"  I was shocked, but asked why she would contemplate declining such a opportunity. She stated, "I'm really scared! I'm scared of leaving home...scared I won't be able to hack it...scared that I'll be an outcast because I'm a girl...scared that I'll be so far behind my classmates because I'm from such a small town and didn't have the educational opportunities that so many others had...I'm just scared I'll fail, disappointing you, Dad and me!"  I vividly recall my response to her because it goes to the very core of what I believe! I told Alanna, "You WILL GO to the Academy...not just for you...not for me...not for your father. You will go because it is your duty to prove to yourself and EVERY YOUNG WOMAN what can be accomplished when you dedicate yourself to a dream. You WILL GO and your success will PROVE that women are just as capable, if not more so, than men. You WILL GO and you WILL SUCCEED because you ARE strong, intelligent and dedicated! Finally, You WILL GO because one day another young woman will somehow hear about everything you endured, that it was tough, but that if you did it -- she CAN do it too!"  Alanna finally understood the importance of this decision, for her and for other young women, and felt empowered to conquer all the challenges awaiting her.

Gene...I have soooo many memories and stories that go to the heart of women in the military/women's abilities to overcome insurmountable obstacles -- as well as the absolute shameful conditions that many of our veterans endure after honorably serving. I would be thrilled to contribute whatever you would like to your blog in the hopes that they would spark a passion in your readers, for your cause...for our veterans...for women in our military and society as a whole.

On a final note (I know...this is a long-winded response and I apologize!), I would love to send you a DVD I created as a gift for every sailor on board the USS STETHEM DDG-63 -- the ship my daughter is on. I wanted to do something for each and every sailor on board this holiday season to show my appreciation for their hard work, dedication and sacrifice. I wanted to let them know that, although I'm "just a mom," I do care about them and am humbled by all they do. I created the DVD using photos emailed to me by the sailors (they think I'm a Cruise Book vendor...thus keeping the "surprise" element going), added music and captions in order to create a lasting "treasure" that I hope will bring them joy and reinforce the pride that is rightfully theirs. Every sailor on board the USS STETHEM is getting his/her own copy of the DVD and it will "premiere" at the Christmas party just before the official holiday "break." The DVD is so fun and fabulous (if I do say so myself)! Perhaps you have a business address where I could forward a copy to you?

So.........I guess that's FINALLY the end of my ramblings to you for now. Again, please accept my sincere thanks for taking time from your busy life to communicate w/me and know that what you're doing will deeply affect so many deserving veterans, their families and their friends! YOU ROCK!!!

A peek through Wendy's Window...

I would love for you to share any information regarding my daughter and/or me on your blog (which I have been visiting)! "Wendy's Window" is a very catchy title! I do feel very strongly about women in the military and (obviously) instilled the notion -- "You can do ANYTHING you desire...because YOU are a strong, intelligent and dedicated woman" -- in my daughter her entire life. I have many, many stories I could share w/you that might inspire other young women -- allowing them to REALLY KNOW that they ARE CAPABLE of great things, no matter their life circumstances. It would be a honor and a blessing to be able to share these stories, in the hope that if they touch even one young woman and inspire her to greatness, then my daughter would have a "legacy" -- so to speak. I'd like to share one, short example...if you don't mind...

Would love to receive feedback on Wendy's Window and to receive stories from Veterans, their spouses and family members regarding their unique stories and thoughts on their loved ones and the PROCESS behind their willingness to participate in a service to our country.

Thank You Wendy for sharing your daughter (name withheld) and your desire to be an inspiration!

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!

As I began this blog in an effort to meet request from several people who were interested in "hearing" my voice and the subsequent emails, facebook request and twitter comments of support and encouragement, I am pleased to announce that The GENEuine Article is GROWING!

I received a very heartwarming story that has inspired me to create a new storyline entitled WENDY'S WINDOW. The significance of this is that it will feature stories and snippets from the vantage point of the parents of young people who have chosen to serve in our country's armed forces. Wendy, the mother of a naval academy graduate wrote to me and has given me permission to publish that letter on this blog. My gift to her and her family will be an ongoing piece that bears her name. The last 4 years of my career in the Air Force, I was chosen to serve as an Air Force Recruiter. I was barely in my 20's and here I was an ambassador to my community. The MOST rewarding part of this special duty assignment was my involvement not only with community leaders and politicians, but, my participation in the lives of my recruits families. The countless dinners, invitations to weddings and funerals and christenings, that over the years, I simply chalked it up to just doing my job. I was an EXTREMELY successful Recruiter. The ONE thing that made me MOST successful was my ability to present the Air Force mission without deceiving one, single recruit. NOT A SINGLE ONE! THANK YOU Wendy for reminding me of this and that my service hasn't stopped just because I'm out of the Air Force. This is for you and your gift to your country....your daughter....GOD BLESS!

Secondly, expect another addition to the blog entitled "BeSIDE every great man..." I'm pleased to announce that this will be written by a soon to be PHD that will inform, educate and entertain from a wide variety of topics. Raw and unedited by me, after all this is The GENEuine Article and censorship would make it less than GENEuine. :-)
I hope you enjoy and encourage more and more people to follow.

Gene

BUT GOLIATH IS BIG AND STRONG…!

Everyone knows the story of David versus goliath, right? If not, check out the premiere of my trilogy. Goliath had the attributes of someone EXTREMELY intimidating, he was HUGE and I can imagine that he was ripped with muscles.  In fact Goliath brings to mind several bullies I’ve met as a youngster who would strike fear into my heart and several bullies that I’m dealing with CURRENTLY….more on that later…Goliath’s don’t always have to be physically imposing, they can hold economic might (such as a bank or country), authoritative power (federal, state and local governments), control of natural resources (utility companies).  As I’ve gotten older, I prefer the bullies who rely on just physical might, because the other type of Goliaths are ALOT more dangerous and subversive.

In the story, I’m sure Goliath looked down at David and couldn’t help but grin. I mean here was this puny kid with a slingshot….I can hear the jeers from Goliaths squad counting another victory. I can also feel the stress and fear from David’s squad that this kid was called to defeat Goliath, ruh roh….and with a slingshot…ooookkkaaayyy….

Goliath does all the things a bully does, they scream, push, taunt, threaten, intimidate and REMIND you of just how small you are and the amount of power at their disposal.  Just do it my way and I may let you live. WTF? We’re living in a society that today, we all cover for Goliath, because he’s soooo powerful and without Goliath, we just couldn’t make it. We turn our minds and our lives over to almighty Goliath! I mean we have teachers and schools raising our children, we let politicians tell us what to believe in and vote for, we allow pharmaceutical companies to market synthesized cures that have side effects worse than the disease, Television has become everyone’s nanny, We allow our governments to harass, harang and incarcerate groups of people with the least amount of evidence and a ton of bureaucratic pestering. Is it just me or does this sound like lunacy? We have the government in OUR minds, bodies, values and freedoms! THIS ISN’T MY AMERICA! I didn’t raise my right hand and pledge an oath to serve, defend and die so that Goliath could make David his bitch. As we survey the attitude that Goliath has, it would be a sense of arrogance, persuasiveness and malevolence. Goliath exudes arrogance because he know s that he created a system that everyone feeds on and without that system things would die (too big to fail come to mind?), so Goliath creates special-interest groups and woo politicians in an effort to feed his big appetite for more power and control. Which leads into persuasiveness, Goliath can be a real charmer, has to be…because people need to think they NEED Goliath, we were bombed on 9/11, we need the Patriotic Act, way too many illegal immigrants, let’s start “rounding ‘em up” He’s going to destroy the health care system as we know it! Goliath usually starts off with something simple to SCARE us into giving him more power.    Goliath is so massive that of course he’d overlook any weak areas; I mean there isn’t any right? If there are, then let’s wait to see how this all pans out and if it goes critical mass, then we’ll let the next guy worry about it. Goliath is ultimately malevolent because if you don’t “play ball” or if Goliath has a system designed just right and you fail to play along? Goliath will attempt to silence you.  Goliath has gotten smart over the centuries, the biblical Goliath WASN’T a charmer, but as all things evolve, so did Goliath and he found it necessary to become a charmer and to “encourage” people to see things his way. Goliath’s gotta eat! There are a great many leadership lessons to be found regarding Goliath and we will discuss those after finding out what it means to be David, for we’re all David at one time or another. The deal with Goliath is ultimately he’s a coward and once you break through the fear and intimidation of his size, scope of influence and strength, Goliath CAN and WILL be defeated.  All you need is the proper weapon and know where to strike.

I’d rather be DAVID than GOLIATH!

The Philistine army had gathered for war against Israel. The two armies faced each other, camped for battle on opposite sides of a steep valley. A Philistine giant measuring over nine feet tall and wearing full armor came out each day for forty days, mocking and challenging the Israelites to fight. His name was Goliath. Saul, the King of Israel, and the whole army were terrified of Goliath.

One day David, the youngest son of Jesse, was sent to the battle lines by his father to bring back news of his brothers. David was probably just a young teenager at the time. While there, David heard Goliath shouting his daily defiance and he saw the great fear stirred within the men of Israel. David responded, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of God?"

So David volunteered to fight Goliath. It took some persuasion, but King Saul finally agreed to let David fight against the giant. Dressed in his simple tunic, carrying his shepherd's staff, slingshot and a pouch full of stones, David approached Goliath. The giant cursed at him, hurling threats and insults.

David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied ... today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air ... and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel ... it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

As Goliath moved in for the kill, David reached into his bag and slung one of his stones at Goliath's head. Finding a hole in the armor, the stone sank into the giant's forehead and he fell face down on the ground. David then took Goliath's sword, killed him and then cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. So the Israelites pursued, chasing and killing them and plundering their camp.

• Why did they wait forty days to begin the battle? Probably for several reasons. Everyone was afraid of Goliath. He seemed invincible. Not even King Saul, the tallest man in Israel, had stepped out to fight. Also, the sides of the valley were very steep. Whoever made the first move would have a strong disadvantage and probably suffer great loss. Both sides were waiting for the other to attack first.

• David chose not to wear the King's armor because it felt cumbersome and unfamiliar. David was comfortable with his simple slingshot, a weapon he was skilled at using. God will use the unique skills he's already placed in your hands, so don't worry about "wearing the King's armor." Just be yourself and use the familiar gifts and talents God has given you. He will work miracles through you.

• David's faith in God caused him to look at the giant from a different perspective. Goliath was merely a mortal man defying an all-powerful God. David looked at the battle from God's point of view. If we look at giant problems and impossible situations from God's perspective, we realize that God will fight for us and with us. When we put things in proper perspective, we see more clearly and we can fight more effectively.

• When the giant criticized, insulted and threatened, David didn't stop or even waver. Everyone else cowered in fear, but David ran to the battle. He knew that action needed to be taken. David did the right thing in spite of discouraging insults and fearful threats. Only God's opinion mattered to David.

Are you facing a giant problem or impossible situation? Stop for a minute and refocus. Can you see the situation more clearly from God's vantage point?

Do you need to take courageous action in the face of insults and fearful circumstances? Do you trust that God will fight for you and with you? Remember, God's opinion is the only one that matters.

Available on BlackEnterprise.com

http://www.blackenterprise.com/b-e-exclusives/2010/10/28/exclusive-fired-apprentice-talks-about-journey-from-homeless-to-trumps-boardroom/

Gene's interview on RealiTyana with Tyana Alvarado

http://www.tyanaalvarado.com/podcast/realityanatalk_e03.mp3

Meet Gene Folkes

http://www.nbc.com/the-apprentice/video/meet-gene-folkes/1247987/